Truss and bridge



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C. M. HORTON.

TRUSS AND BRIDGE.

Patent-ed Deo, 14, 1897.

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(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3v. C.1VI.IHORT0N. TRUSS AND BRIDGE.A

Patented Dec. 14., 1897.

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'6 INVENTOR WITN ESSES (No Model.)

, l-J Q F319 O. M. HORTON. TRUSS AND BRIDGE.

Patented Deo. 1.4-, 1897*.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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` '2 NvENToR WITNEssEs i Z7 j l l UNITED STATES PATENT Enron.

CHARLES M. HORTON, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA.

TRUSS .AND BRIDGE.

SPECIFICATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 595,629, dated December14, 1897.

Application led November 19, 1896. Serial No. 61.21735. (No model.)

Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trussesand Bridges; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to that class of bridgetrusses, trussed beams, andsupporting columns or posts in which the use of rivets is largely orwholly avoided.

The object of my invention is to maintain the greatest possibleproportion of strength in the columns, bridge-trusses, and trussed beamsby avoiding to a great degree the use of rivets and other weakeningconnections in the securing of the component parts of the posts andtruss or span and mainly substituting therefor splicing and supportingsleeves, hangers,hook-clips,socket-supports,and similar devices with aconservative use of bolts, and to make the several parts as simple aspracticable, so that they may be assembled together easily and rapidlywithout the usual extensive use of expensive machinery, tools, andlabor, maintaining in a high degree strength, durability, and lightnessat comparatively small cost.

It consists in certain novel combinations, constructions, andarrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming parts of' this specification,Figure l represents a side elevation of my improved bridge truss or spanand supporting-columns. Fig. 2 represents a vertical transverse sectionof the said span, `showing the supporting-columns in elevation. Fig. 3represents a vertical longitudinal section through the upper part of acolumn and of the shoe for receiving the beams ofthe column to restupon.

ends of the chord-beams of adjoining spans. Fig. 4 represents an endelevation, partially in section, of the said shoe. Fig. 5 represents abottom plan view of the said shoe, the T- beams composing thesupporting-columns being shown in section. Fig. 6 represents a plan Viewof a bottom supporting-plate for the Fig. 7

\ clips forming part of my said invention in position thereon and alsoshowing the manner vof securing the panel-posts and supportingrodsthereto. Fig. 13 represents a vertical longitudinal section of the same.Fig. 14 represents a detail transverse section through the top-chordI-bealn, the splicing and supporting sleeve forming part of my saidinvention being shown in elevation thereon. Fig. I5 represents a detailin side elevation of the same. Fig. 16 represents a detailside elevationshowing the abutment-footing and trun-l nien-box of said bridge-trussforming part of my said invention and the manner of securing the shoreends of the top-chord I-beam and the bottom-chord links to thetrunnionbox and the roller-bearing of said box. Fig. 17 represents anend elevation of the same; and Fig. I8 represents a top plan View of aportion of a bridge-span embodying my invention, the ooring beingremoved, showing the lateral braces; and Fig. 19 is a detail sideelevation of a portion of saidbridge, showing the manner of securing thewind-braces in position.

In the drawings corresponding letters refer to corresponding parts.

A My invention is well adapted for use in places where a single span isneeded or where two or more spans are required, as in the case of aviaduct or similar structures. In this connection I will describe theconstruction of the columns or posts for supporting the bridge atthe'termination of the different spans.

A A in the drawings designate the T-beams of which the supporting-postsare preferably' composed. As shown, they are usually four in number, thelegs of the T-beams meeting together and resting in a suitablebase-plate B, and the said Ts being suitably bound, braced, and held inplace, as will be hereinafter fully described.

C Gare'inclosing and binding sleeves for IOO the upper ends of theposts, and E E are bearing-shoes to receive the ends of the top-chordbeams of the spans.

The base-plates B B are mounted upon suitable masonry, as at B', andbolted thereto in the usual way, the bolts passing through holes b b inthe base-plates for this purpose. The lower ends of the T-beams restupon the upper surface of the plates B B, preferably as shown in thedrawings, with their heads resting against confining-flanges b b, formedupon the edges of the base-plates. Parallel ribs or raised portions b2b2 are arranged upon the base-plates, forming grooves adapted to receivethe legs of the T-beams. It will thus be seen that the T-beams aresecurely held in proper position upon the base-plates when restingthereon. The edge flange b', which is placed toward the inner part ofthe bridge, is provided with perforated ears b3 b3, adapted to receiveand have bolted between them the lower ends of lateral brace-rods b4 b4,which extend between opposite supporting-posts.

About midway of the height of the posts are secured the binding-sleevesC C, preferably formed in two sections, provided with bolting-iian ges cc, by which they are adapted to be secured together, inclosing theT-beams A A, as shown in Figs. S and 9. The sleeves C C are providedinteriorly with small lugs or projections c' c in their corners, whichare adapted to engage corresponding notches made in the flanges of theT-beams A A, so that the sleeves cannot slip upon the said osts.

The bolting-flanges c c upon the sides of the sleeves C C which extendtoward the inner portion of the bridge are adapted to receive and havebolted between them the ends of a cross bracing-beam C', which extendsbetween opposite posts A A. Upon the saine side of the sleeves C C, nearthe top and bottom edges of said sleeves, are formed ears c2 c2, adaptedto receive and have bolted between them the ends of lateral brace-rodsbetween the posts A A, the lower set of ears having secured between themthe upper ends of the braces b4 b4 and the upper set of ears havingsecured between them the lower ends of the braces b5 b5. The upper endsof the T-beams are also held together by the sleeves D D, similar to thesleeves C C. These sleeves are provided in their interior corners withlugs or projections CZ d, adapted to engage notches formed in theflanges of the T-beams A A. By this construction the sleeves D D areprevented from slipping down upon the post.

Upon the side of the sleeves next to the inner portions of the bridgeare formed ears d d', adapted to receive the upper ends of the diagonalbrace-rods b5 Near the upper edge of the sleeves D D are formed thehorizontal lugs d2 (Z2, upon oppo site corners of said sleeves. Theselugs are adapted to receive and have bolted between them the ends of theend links of the lateral braces upon the underside of the brid ge-span.

T-beams A A are preferably braced at intervals along their length bybrace tie-pieces F F, which are adapted to engage notches formed on themeeting edges of the leg portions of the T-beams, the said bracetie-pieces having notches ff, adapted to inclose a part of the said legportions, as shown in the drawings.

Upon the upper ends of the T-beams A A are placed the cap bearing-platesE E', having formed upon their end surfaces the rightangle ribs orprojections E2 E2, forming grooves to receive the upper ends of the legportions of the T-beams, the head or fiange portions of the said T-beamsresting against and being confined by the edge flanges E3, also formedupon the under side of the said cap bearing-plates. The upper surfacesof the cap bearing-plates E E' are recessed, as at e, to receive therollers e e.

Resting upon the rollers e' e are the shoes E E, which receive the endsof the top-chord Ifbe-ams of the truss of the adjacent spans, the saidshoes being provided with overhanging flanges c2 e2, adapted to surroundand inclose the upper edge of the cap bearing-plates E E. The uppersurfaces of the shoes are provided with inclined surfaces e3 c3, uponwhich the ends of the top-chord I-beams rest, shoulders e4 e4 beingformed thereon to engage the web of said I-beams for holding themsecurely in position. Trunnion-plates c5 e5 are formed upon the uppersurfaces of said shoes and are adapted to have bolted to them the endsof the bottom-chord links of the adjacent spans.

G G are I-beams laid with the flanges vei-, tical and forming the topchords of said bridgetruss, Each of the top chords of said span on therespective sides thereof is preferably formed of'two of these curvedI-beams laid end to end with flanges vertical, the upper ends of saidbeams being spliced by being brought respectively into the opposite endsof the splicing and supporting clip H Hin Figs. 1, 14, and 15 at thesummit of the 1ongitudinal arch of said truss or span; but said topchordv may consist of a single curved I-,beam laid with flangesvertical, in which case no splicing-clip will be required; or said chordmay consist of more than two curved I-bearns similarly laid end to end,with their opposing ends secured, respectively, in said splicing andsupporting clips, all within the compass of my said invention. Lateralwebs 7L h are formed upon the clips H for increasing the strengththereof. Each of these clips H is preferably formed so as to exactly fitthe top and side contours of the T-beams which I employ. Each of thelower ends of the vcrtical side portions ot' the clips forms an ear orlug 7L for the attachment of the panel-posts, braces, dsc.

Hook-clips g g/ are used where no splicing is required at other pointson the top-chord I-beams G for supporting the panelposts, brace-rods,and wind-braces. These hook- IOO IIO

clips are preferably formed like the side hook portions of thesplice-clips H, being used in pairs, as shown in Fig. 12, and not havinga connecting-web, as in the case of said splicing-clips. They areprovided-with strengthening-Webs g11 gu, similar to the webs h' h' ofthe splice-clips. Some of these clips g g are preferably of the sameshape in side elevationas the splice-clips H (shown in Fig. 15) and aremore suitable for use in the central portions of the span; but the clipsused near the ends of the spans preferably have an elongated top bearingportion, as shown in Fig. 13 at glo, whereby a better grasp or hold uponthe top -chord I-beam is obtained for the braces and panel-posts, whichare more or less inclined in position. The end clips on the adjacentends of two spans may be secured together for additional strength by abrace-rod, as at L in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The plate or clip-hooks g g are secured to the respective flanges of thesaid top-chord beam G by being hooked over the same, the long shanks ofsaid hooks projecting downward beyond the lower edges of said iianges,so as to form ears which are apertured for the passing of the tie-boltsh3, which support the upper ends of panel-posts and supportingrods, asheretofore described, reference being had to Figs. 12 and 13 of thedrawings. Shallow notches are cut in the lower flanges of the top-chordbeam at points where said tie-bolts pass through, thus binding thehookclips as well as the splice-clips close to the topchord beam andpreventing their slipping longitudinally out of position along said topchord. The ears upon both-the splice-clips H and the hook-clips G arereinforced upon l their inner faces by segmental ribs or raised portionsh4, and the under sides of the anges are notched to fit upon the upperends of these ribs in order to lock the said clip in p0- sition. l

G G are I-beam panel-posts secured at their upper ends in said splicingand supporting clips H or in hook-clips g', respectively, by tie-bolt h3passing through the ears h of said splicing-clip H or the ears,respectively, of said hook-clips g and through both flanges of saidpanel-post, a small portion of the web of said panel-post at the upperend thereof being cut away to admit of the passage of said tie-bolt h3through the flanges, substantially as shown. The lower end of saidpanel-post is supported and secured by bottom-chord tie-bolt g,whichpasses through portion of the clips K are enlarged iattened eye portionsK' K', having perforations registhe panel-posts G G', so that thetie-bolts h3 and g, respectively, at the top and bottom` will passthrough said eyes K K. It will thus be observed that the clips K K addgreatly to the security of the attachment of the ends of saidpanel-posts and enable said posts to stand a greater strain.

g2 g2 are bottom-chord links, preferably flat and set on edge, havingenlarged apertured ends secured at the shore ends respectively to thetrunnion-plates I, as in Figs. 16 and 17 and hereinafter described, bysuitable bolts Q7, passing through said trunnion-plates and through theshore ends of said links and having their other ends secured,respectively, to the supporting-rods at each panel by the tiebolt g,there being two bottom-chord links to each panel of said truss,decreasing in size and weight in the respective panels of said trussfrom the respective ends of said truss toward the center of the same.

g3 g4 g5 are supporting, bracing, or tension rods,perfectly fiat andprovided with enlarged apertured ends. They are secured at their upperends in said splicing-slips or hook-clips, as the case may be, by saidtie-bolts h3. The tie-bolt g6 connects together at each panel thebottom-chord links, bottom ends of the several supporting-rods, the footof panel-post, and Hoor-beam hangers. The end bottomchord links g2 g2 atthe adjacent ends of two spans are secured to the bolt, passing throughthe trunnion-plates e5 e5 of the shoes E E, as hereinbefore described.

The wind-bracin g of the bridge is composed of T or angle irons runningup from the ends of the i'loor-girder beams to the inside of the clip onthe top chord. The said T-irons g8 are secured at the upper ends againstthe inner faces of outer ears h h of said splicing and supporting clipsH or against the corresponding ear of hook-plates g', as the case maybe, by tie-bolts h3 h3, said bolts passing through the lower flange ofeach of said T-braces,which are apertured and turned up against theinner faces of said ears, the other flange of said braces being cut awayfor a short distance at its upper end to admitof the passage of saidbolts, said braces extending downward and outward to the outboard endsof the ioorgirder beams J J and being bent up at their lower ends andsecured to the upper faces of the upper flanges at the outer ends ofsaid floor-beams by suitable bolts or rivets passing through thehorizontal flanges of said T- braces at that point on either side of thevertical flanges .thereof and through the upper flanges of saiddoor-beams on either side of the webs thereof.

The shore ends of bridge-spans constructed I tering with theperforations in the ilanges of I IDO IIO

like my device rest upon shoes or trunnionboxes similar to those uponthe top of the supporting-columns, as described above. Thetrunnion-plates I I are erected upon a baseplate 3 and are integraltherewith. An inclined surface 8 is formed on the upper surface of thebase 3 to receive the shore end of the beam G, as hereinafter described.

2 2 are rollers beneath the trunnion baseplate 3, similar to the rollersc e', the rollers resting in a foundation channel-plate 6.

4 4 are anchor-bolts adapted to extend into abutment masonry andprojecting through flange or margin of foundation-plate 6, holding saidfoundation plate down on abutment 5.

The rollers 22are preferably spaced or prevented from rubbing againsteach other by plates T 7, provided with journalbearings adapted toreceive journals formed upon the ends of the rollers. Thus they are notonly kept from touching each other, but are properly spread beneath thebase 3 to thoroughly support it in every part.

The oor girder-beams J J are each supported at each end by one or morehangers or yokes 71.7 h7, passed over the tie-bolt ge, the lower ends ofwhich pass through the iianges of the said floor-beams and arescrew-threaded to receive nuts of suitable strength.

The bridge-span is braced laterally by rods L7 j, preferably placeddiagonally between adjacent loor-beams and provided with right and leftthreaded nuts or turnbuckles jj, by which said rods maybe adjusted ortightened. The ends of the brace-rods jj are preferably formed withdouble eyes jzjz, adapted to be placed one above and one below theflanges of the floor-beam J and to have the hangers hT pass through themfor bolting them securely to said floor-beams.

It will be seen from the above description that bridges, viaducts, dcc.constructed in accordance with my invention are adapted to be puttogether without extensive boring and consequent weakening of thetruss-beams and that all the parts can be easily and expeditiously puttogether and in a manner well suited to meet all the strains to whichthey may be subjected.

It will of course be apparent that I can vary the construction of thesplicing and supporting clips, trunnion-boxes, loor-beam hangers,supports, anchorages, and fastenin gs required to unite the parts toform adurable, light, and efficient bridge truss or similar structurewithout departing from the spirit of my invention. 5

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a truss the combination of top-chord beams, hooked clips hung fromthe edges of the said beams and adapted to secure posts, supports andbraces to said top-chord beams without passing bolts or pins through thesame and thereby weakening them, substantially as described.

2. In a truss the combination of top-chord beams, splicing-clips appliedthereon for locking them in place, and adapted to secure suitable posts,supports and braces to said beams without weakening the same bybolt-holes and vertical webs formed upon said clips for strengtheningthem, substantially as described.

3. In a truss the combination of arched I- beams, forming a top-chordbeam, splicingclips adapted to tit the contour of said beams for lockingthe ends of the same in place, vertical webs formed upon the said clipsfor strengthening them, and means for securing posts, supports, tie-rodsand braces to said clips, the construction being such that the archedbeams are not weakened by perforations forbolts, pins or the like,substantially as described.

1l. In a truss, the combination of arched I- beams, hooked clips adaptedto tit upon the flan ges of said I-beams and be locked thereon and meansfor attaching supports, posts, and braces, the said clips, theconstruction being such that the arched beams are not weakened byperforations as for bolts, pins or the like, substantially as described.

5. In a column or post for supporting structures, the combination of aplurality of angle-beams, meeting at a central point and divided clipsadapted to be bolted together so as to inclose the said beams forholding them together, the construction being such that the saidangle-beams are not perforated as for bolting and thereby weakened,substantially as described.

6. In a column for supporting structures, the combination of apluralityof angle-irons, the legs of which meet at a central point, a base-plateprovided with grooves adapted to lit the end contour of said angle-ironsand laterally-extending ears upon said base-plate for receiving andsecuring the end of the brace-rods, and divided clips adapted to bebolted together so as to inclose the said beams and bind the said ironstogether without perforating them for bolting,substantially asdescribed.

7. In a supporting column or post the combination of a plurality of angle-irons, the legs of which meet at a central point, grooved plates forholding the ends in position and sleeves formed of divided clipsprovided with external bolting-ears, the said clips being adapted to bebolted together so as to inclose said irons and bind them togetherwithout perforating them for bolting, substantially as described.

8. In a support for bridges, viaducts or the like, the combination ofcolumns comprising a plurality of T-beams having their leg portionsturned toward each other, end plates having grooves for holding the endsof said beams in place, sleeves consisting of divided IOO clips havingexternal bolting-flan ges whereby the clips are adapted to inclose saidbeams and to bind them together, projections on said clips adapted toengage notches in the edge of iianges of the beams to prevent slippingand means 'secured to said plates and sleeves for bracing the saidcolumns laterally, the construction being such that the said T- beamsare not perforated as for bolting or riveting, and consequentlyweakened, substantially as described.

9. In a column for bridges, viaducts or the like, the combination of aplurality of angleirons meeting at the center, means for binding saidangle-irons togetherfwithout passing bolts through the same, a cap-plateadapted to fit upon the upper ends of said irons, and provided with achannel or recess upon its upper surface adapted to receive rollers, anda shoe resting upon said rollers, adapted to receive and support the endof a truss-beam, without bolting, substantially as described.

10. In a column for support-ing adjacent spans or trusses thecombination with a suitable cap-plate, of a shoe ,or trunnion box forsupporting the ends of the top-chord beam of said spans,rollerbearin gsinterposed between the said cap-plate and shoe, overhanging [langes uponsaid shoe completely covering the rollers and the cap-plate for keepingout Water or ice, and trunnion-plates upon said shoe adapted to supportthe end bottom-chord links of said spans, substantially as described.

11. In a truss the combination with a topchord beam, of panel-postsadapted to connect the said top-chord beam with the licor-beam of thesaid truss, clips having bolting-flanges adapted to incluse and besecured to the web of said panel-posts, ears at right angles to saidanges for securing the same to the top and bottom tie-bolts,substantially as described.

12. In a truss the combination with a top- 4chord beam, of hooked clipshung from the opposite edges of the same, depending ears upon said clipsextending below the top-chord beam and adapted to receive aconnectingbolt, for locking them in place, said bolt being adapted tosupport the panel-posts, braces and wind-braces, substantially asdescribed.

13. In a truss the combination of arched top-chord beams having acontinuous curved form, roller-bearings having shoulders and inclinedsurfaces upon their upper sides adapted to receive and support the endsof said top-chord beams and means for securing posts, supports, bracesand beams to said topchord beams, substantially as described.

14. In a truss for bridges the combination with topchord beams of shoeshaving inclined upper surfaces and shoulders thereon adapted to receivethe shore ends of said beams, channel base-plate secured to theshoe-abutments, and rollers interposed between said shoes andchannel-plates, substantially as described.

15. In a truss for bridges the combination With top-chord beams andbottom-chord links, of shoes adapted to receive the shore ends of saidbeams having inclined surfaces upon the said shoes for receiving the endthrusts of said beams, channel-plates secured to the shore-abutments,rollers interposed between said shoes and channel-plates, andtrunnionplates formed on said shoes adapted to have secured to them theshoe ends of the bottomchord links of the truss, substantially asdescribed.

16. In a truss the combination with topchord'beams, of panel-postssecured thereto, clips having bolting-flanges adapted to inclose and besecured to the webs of said panelposts, and ears at right angles to thesaid iianges, bolts passed through the lower ends of said posts and saidears, I-beams for supporting the ioor of the truss, yokes passing overthe said tie-bolts and passing through the flanges of the said floorI-beams and means for securing the said yokes to the said flanges,substantially as described.

17. ln a truss-bridge or viaduct the combination with top-chord beams,of panel-posts, I-beams for supporting the floor of the truss, yokes atthe lower end of said panel-posts passing through the flanges of thesaid I-beams for securing the floor-beams of said bridge, or viaduct tosaid posts, and diagonal bracerods interposed between said licor-beams,and having bifurcated ends adapted to embrace the ilanges of saidfloor-beams, the said bifurcated ends having apertures to receive thesaid yokes for laterally bracing the bridge, substantially as described.

. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES M. HORTON.

Witnesses:

HUNTINGTON W. MERCHANT, J. S. HARTER.

IOC

